Ice skate



Dec. 25, 1928.

AQ R. FERGUSSON ICE SKATE Filed Jan. 18. 19. .7

3 Sheets-Sheet .1 v

gmentn A. R. YFERGUSSON Dec. 25, 1928.

ICE SKATE Filed Jan. 18, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 C QM. m. lllllll iwwilllii- QN w m m E 2:: :FH WWMWWWWM M \m d R .m x \1 b *N Sf w l fl hmil Ill :l1l RN m a Z OM v M QM w E Patented Dec. 25, 1929.

* uarren {STATES PATENT oFricfE;

ALAN a. FERGUSSON, or BUFFALO, new YORK, AssIsNon-ro A. n. rniaeussoiv MFG.

Conn, or serrate, NEW roan,

[a CORPORATION on NEW YORK.

Ion SKATE.

Application filed January 18, 1927. Serial No. 161,920.

' This invention relates to an ice skate and has for its objectthe production of a skate which is comparatively low in cost, very strong and durable and capable ofbeing readily adjusted as to size for fitting shoes varying in length and breadth within reasonable limits, and thereby enabling a dealer to furnish skates suitable for use by boys and men without requiring him to carry in stock an undue number of sizes to supply the demands of the trade as: has been necessary heretofore.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of skate embodying my improvement-s. Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof. Figures 3 and i are vertical transverse sections taken on the correspondingly numbered lines in F ig. 1. Figures 5, 6 and 7 are horizontal sections taken on the correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. 1. Figure 8 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on line 8-8, Fig. 4;. V Figure 9 is a side elevation showing a modified form of my invention as compared with the structure shown in Figs. 1-8. Figure 10 is a vertical cross section taken on line 10-10, Fig. 9. Figure 11 is another form of the skate blade or runner containing my improvements. Figures 12 and 13 represent cross sections of different forms of the runner or blade suitablefor use in the skate made in accordance with my invention. p

Similar characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views of the drawings, 4

Referring to the construction shown in Figs. 1-8, the numeral represents the runner or blade of the ice skate which is preferably constructed from a bar of steel or other high grade material which is of substantially uniform shape in cross section sothat the same can be rolled orotherwise formed in comparatively long sections and cut into short sections of the required length suitable for use as skate runners. The runners may be of various forms so far as their lengthwise appearance is concerned, for ex ample, the body of the runner may be straight and the front end 21 slightly turned up, as shown in Fig. 1, or the same may be curved so as to be low at the middle and high at the front and rear ends and thus serve as rocker skates heretofore in common use.

Although the runnermay be of any approved form in cross section, that shown in Figs. 1-8 is of oblong rectangular form in cross section with the wide faces arranged vertically on opposite sides of the runner.

Mounted on the front and rear parts of the runner are front and rear supports 22,23, for the shoe of a skaters foot. Each of these supports is preferably constructed of L- shaped members or sections, each of which is stamped out of oompartively thin metal which is low in cost so as to form a vertical part or web 24 the lower end of which is connected with the runner and a horizontal part or plate 25 which projects laterally from the upper, end of the vertical part. The two members or sections of each support are assembled withtheir webs placed side by side to formv a pedestal or standard while the horizontal plates together form platform. These two L-shaped sections maybe connected in any suitable manner, forexample, by electric spot welding, riveting 'or the like, but preferablyby providing the web. of one section with locking openings, 26 at its upper end and stamping locking lips 27 out of the upper end of the web of'the companionsection and extending these lips-through said openings 26 and clinching the same against the outer side of the respective web, as shown in F igs. 1 and 4. In the case of the front support the front ends 28' ofthe platform plates are turned upwardly to fit the front or toe portion of a shoe, and in the case of the rear support the rear ends of the platform plates are provided with upwardly projecting heel stop flanges 29, as, shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and d. For securing greater strength one of these heel stop flanges laps laterally over the other, as shown at 30 in Fig. 2.

In order to stiffen the pedestals, or standards of the supports and thus permit of using lighter material and also to improve appeian ance of the same, the webs of each support are provided at their front andrear edges ,Wltlr outwardly projecting edge beads or ribs 31, 31, and intermediate of the latter with central beadsv or ribs 32. y

The lower parts oft-he webs forniingfthe pedestal of each support are spread apartthe lower ends of the two webs of' the front support are secured to opposite sides of the runner by rive-ts The rear support is represented in Figs. 1, e, 5 and S as capable of adjustment lengthwise of the runner by constructing the lower ends of the vertical webs of this pedestal in the form of inturned hooks 34, the beaks of which engage longitudinal grooves 35 on opposite sides of the. runner and are capable of sliding lengthwise therein for adjusting the rear shoe support toward and from the front shoe support. After the rear support has been shifted into the desired position relative to the front support, the rear support may be fastened in place by a clamping bolt 36 passing through the webs of the pedestal immediately above the hooks thereof, as shown in Figs. 1 and at. The nut 37 of this clamping bolt is preferably-arranged close to the adjacent pedestal hook, as shown in Figs. 1 and 1, so that the same will strike and be incapable of turning while tightening or loosening this bolt by a screw driver applied to the head of the same, thereby facilitating the adjustment of the skate.

Means are provided for positively interlocking the heel support with the runner so as to prevent the adjustment between the toe and heel supports from being disturbed when the skate is subjected to severe blows, shocks or strains. The preferred construction'of these interlocking means consists of longitudinal rows of upright corrugations or serrations 38 arranged on opposite sides of the runner above the hook receiving grooves therein and corresponding longitudinal rows of upright corrugationsZ-lt) arranged on the inner sides of the hooks and adapted to inter lock with the corrugations of the runner. Upon loosening the clamping bolt 36 the hooks can be spread apart sufficiently to disengage the corrugations of the same from those of the runner and after the rear support has been moved forwardly or backwardly the required extent the same will be positively held there upon tightening the clamping bolt 36 and re-e-ngaging the co-operating corrugations.

Instead of taking hold of the rear sup-port and sliding the same toward and from the front support this is preferably accomplished by an adjusting rod or screw 4:0 arranged lengthwise above the runner or blade and opcrativcly connected with the supports. in, the

construction shown in the drawings the adjusting rod is provided at its front end with a head 41 which turns in a socket or hearing a2 formed between the opposing rear parts of the webs of the front support, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, and the rear end of the ad justing screw is provided with an external screwthread 18 which works in an internally screw threaded opening i l formed between the opposing sides of the webs of the rear support, as shown in Figs. 1, a, 6 and 8. Upon turning the adjusting rod the same is held against lengthwise movement on the front support thereby compelling the rear support to move lengthwise on the runner. Turning of the rod is preferably facilitated by providing its central part with a flattened wing 45 which may either be grasped by the fingers or receive a wrench.

Any suitable means may be employed for attaching the supports to the toe and heel portions of the shoe. If the skate is to be permanently connected with the shoe the platform plates may be provided with holes 46 adaptedto receive screws which enter the sole and heel of the shoe. If, however, it is desired to quickly attach the skate to the shoe and remove the same therefrom it is preferable to employ the clamping means which are shown in the drawings in connection with the platforms of the front and rear supports. Each of these clamping means is constructed as follows: On the outer side edge of each platform plate the same is provided with a depending guide ear a7 which is formed integrally with this plate. Sliding transversely in each of these guide ears is a clamping bar as upwardly and inwardly projecting clamping aw 49 while its inner end is provided with a downwardly projecting adjusting lug 19 and an adjusting screw rod having its central part journaled on the pedestal of the support and provided on its opposite ends with right and 'eft screw threads 50 working in threaded openings in the adjusting lugs. Turning of the adjusting screw rod or shaft is preferably effected by terminating one end of the same in a square shank 51 which is adapted to receive a suitable key and thus permit of engaging and disengaging the jaws of the clamping bars with opposite sides of the shoe solo. The clamping screw is preferably journaled on the pedestal of the front support by passing the body of this screw through the large part 52 of a key hole slot in the webs of the frontv pedestal and then moving, the adjusting screw laterally so that the contracted neck 53 on the central'part of the same enters the narrow part 54 of the keyhole slot, as shown in Figs.

3 and 8, whereby the adjusting screw will be free to turn tion.

In case the skater has weak ankles it is customary to apply a strap to the ankle and the rear part of a skate. To permit of doing this is the present skate a slot is formed in the rear upper parts of the webs of the heel support through which the ankle supportin strap may be passed. The metal displaced during the forn'iation of the openings in these webs to produce this slot is, however, bent laterally outward at the upper sides of these openings so as to form bearing wings 61 which present a wide surface for engagement with the skate strap and thereby prevent cut but held against lengthwise mowhich is provided at its outer end with an ting and undue wearing of the same, when drawn taut. may be mounted on the pedestal of the support by providing the central part of the same with a collar 55 which is confined in a bearing 56 formed bet-ween the two webs of a pedestal, asshown in Fig. 10.

In the modified form oi my improved skate shown in Fig. 9, both the front and rear supports are mounted on the runner in the man ner described with reference to the rear support shown in Figs. 1-8, so that both the front and rear supports can be adjusted lengthwise on the runner to suit the length 01 the shoe on which the skate is to be worn or to meet other conditions or requirements.

hen only the rear support is made adj ustable lengthwise of the runner then the hook groove need extend only along the rear part of the runner, as shown in Fig. 1. If, however, the front and rear supports are both made adjustable on the runner then the hook grooves 35 may either extend the full length of the runner, as shown in Fig. 9, or the same may be formed the" required. length on the front and rear parts of the runner, as shown in Fig. 11. I

Instead of making therunner ofrectangulair form in cross section, as shown in Figs. 3, i and 10, the same may be otherwise con structed. For example, the same may be of T-iorm in cross section, as shown. at 59 in Fig. 12, or the same may be provided with an upper wide head 57, and downwardly enlarging stem'58, as shown in Fig. 13.

I claim as my invention 1. An ice skate comprising'a runner, shoe supporting means including L-shaped members having vertical parts engaging their lower ends with opposite sides of the runner and horizontal parts projecting laterally from the upper ends of said vertical parts, said horizontal parts being provided at their outer ends with downwardly projecting guide ears, and means for clamping the shoe to said supporting means including clamping bars guided insaid ears and provided at their outer ends with jaws adapted to engage op-:

posite sides 01. the shoe,.and adjusting means connecting said bars.

An ice skate comprising a runner, shoe supporting means including L-shaped members having vertical parts engaging their lower ends with opposite sides of the runner and horizontal parts projecting laterally from the. upper ends of said vertical parts, said horizontal parts being provided at their outerends with downwardly projecting guide ears, an d means for clamping the shoe to said supporting means including clamping bars guided in said ears and provided at their outer ends with jaws adapt d toengage opposite sides of the shoe, and at their inner ends with downwardly projecting adjusting lugs, and a rotary adjusting rod having its central If desired, the adjusting screw shoe supporting means including L-shaped members having vertical parts engaging their lower ends with opposite sides of said runner and horizontal parts projecting laterally from the upper ends of said vertical parts, one of said members being provided with a locking opening and the other of said members having a locking lip formed thereon which extends through said opening and is clinched for holding the respective mem bers together.

47. An ice skate comprising a runner pro vided on its opposite sides with longitudi nally extending grooves, and a foot support including members having hooks at their lower ends which engage with said grooves, and means for connecting said members.

An ice skate comprising a runner and shoe supporting means including L-shaped members having vertical parts engaging their lower ends with opposite sides of said runner and horizontal parts projecting laterally from the upper ends of said vertical parts, said members being provided with corresponding" openings for receiving a strap.

6. An ice skate comprising a runner and shoe supporting means including L-shaped members having vertical parts engaging parts, said members being provided with.

corresponding openings for receiving a strap, and said openings being formed by displacing material from said supports to produce laterally projecting bearing wings at the upper edges of said openings.

7. An ice skate comprising a runner and separate shoe supporting means including L-shaped members having vertical parts engaging their lower ends with opposite sides of said runner and horizontal parts projecting laterally from the upper endsof said vertical parts, said members being provided at their rear ends with upwardly projecting heel stop flanges.

8. An, ice skate comprising a runner, and shoe supporting means including l. -shaped members having vertical parts engaging their lower ends with opposite sides of said runner. horizontal parts projecting laterally from the upper ends of said vertical parts. and heel stop flanges projecting upwardly from the rear ends of said horizontal memhers and lapping laterally one over the other.

An ice skate comprising a runner provided on its opposite sides with longitudi nal grooves, anda shoe support which is ad justable lengthwise on said runner and provlded at its lower end with hooksengag'mg and horizonta parts with said grooves, and fastening means for clamping said hooks against opposite sides of said runner.

10. An ice skate comprising a runner provided on its opposite sides with longitudinal grooves, a shoe support including L-shaped members having vertical parts provided at their lower ends with hooks engaging with said grooves and slidable lengthwise therein, projecting laterally from the upper ends of said vertical parts, and clamping means connecting said upright parts.

11. An ice skate comprising a runner provided on its opposite sides with longitudinal grooves, a shoe support including L-shaped members having vertical parts provided at their lower ends with hooks engaging with said grooves and slidable lengthwise therein, and horizontal parts projecting laterally from the upper ends of said vertical parts, and clamping means connecting said upright parts, the outer sides of said runner being provided with corrugations and the inner sides of said hooks being provided with corrugations interlocking vith the corrugations of said runner.

12. An ice skate comprising a runner, a front support mounted on the front part of said runner and adapted to support the toe portion of the shoe, a rear support mounted on the rear part of therunner and adapted to support the heel portion of the shoe, said supports being relatively adjustable lengthwise of the runner, and an adjusting screw connected at its opposite ends with said supports.

to support the heel portion of the shoe, said supports being relatively adjustable lengthwise of' the runner, one of said supports having a socket and the other support having a threaded opening, and an adjusting screw having ahead at one end arranged in said socket and thread at its opposite end which engages said threaded opening.

let [in ice skate comprising a runner provided on .its opposite sides with-longitudinal grooves, a front support mounted on the front part of said runner and adapted to support thc'toe portion of a shoe, a rear support mounted on the rear part of the runner and adapted to support the heel portion of a shoe, each of said supports including members having upright parts which engage their lower ends with opposite sides of Sitldltlll- 1161.,i'l16 members of one support being secured to said runner and the. members of the other support being slidable in said grooves, and one of said supports having its members constructed to form a socket between them and the other support having its members constructed to form a threaded opening between them, and an adjusting rod having a head at one end which turns in said socket and a screw thread at its opposite end whichworks in said threaded opening.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature ALAN R. FERGUSSON. 

